Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP during the Lok Sabha discussion on the ‘Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution’ on Saturday. Targeting the ruling party over its association with Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Gandhi questioned the BJP’s stance on the Hindutva ideologue’s controversial views about the Constitution.
Citing Savarkar’s writings, Gandhi said, “The worst thing about the Constitution of India is that there is nothing Indian about it. Manusmriti is the scripture which is most worshipable after the Vedas for our Hindu nation.” He challenged the BJP to clarify its position, asking, “Do you stand by your leader’s words? When you speak about protecting the Constitution, are you ridiculing Savarkar?”
The Congress leader also drew parallels between the BJP and Dronacharya from the Mahabharata, accusing the ruling party of misleading India’s youth and failing to uphold justice.
#WATCH | During discussion on 75th anniversary of adoption of the Constitution of India, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, "I want to start my speech by quoting what the Supreme Leader, not of the BJP but of the modern interpretation of the ideas of the RSS has to say about the… pic.twitter.com/eS7HGR8Ivp
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024
Gandhi further criticized the government over the plight of the Hathras gangrape victim’s family, whom he recently visited. He alleged that while the family remains under restrictions, the accused roam freely. “This might be what your Manusmriti says; not what the Constitution says,” he declared, pledging the INDIA bloc’s support to the family and their relocation if needed.
Reaffirming the INDIA bloc’s promise, Gandhi committed to conducting a caste census and breaking the 50% reservation cap. He accused the BJP of ignoring issues of social and economic equality, saying, “We will breach the 50% reservation limit and ensure justice for marginalized communities. Do what you want; we will make this happen.”
Despite interruptions and objections, Gandhi concluded by stating that the Opposition’s fight was to uphold the values of the Constitution, contrasting it with what he alleged were the BJP’s efforts to dilute those principles.